BiltmoreFireDepartments–AShortHistory
Version11.2–March1,2015
ResearchnotesbyMikeLegeros
Contents

Introduction

PartI–BiltmoreEstateFireEquipment

PartII–FiresattheEstate

PartIII–BiltmoreVillage/BiltmoreFireDepartment

PartIV–BiltmoreForestFireDepartment

PartV–Map

PartIV‐Sources
Introduction
Thisdocumentwasoriginallyconceivedasablogpost.Pleasebearwiththeconversationstyle…
Let’stakeatriptoAsheville,forahistoricalperspectiveontheBiltmorefiredepartmentsofyore.
ThestorystartswithGeorgeWashingtonVanderbiltIIIandhisChâteauesque‐styledmansionthat
wascompletedin1895.(Constructionstartedin1889.)With178,926square‐feet,itwasand
remainsthelargestprivatelyownedhouseintheUnitedStates.We’retalking250roomshere,
folks.
VanderbiltwantedtoreplicatetheworkingestatesofEurope,anddesignedtheestatetoinclude
stables,farms,manufacturingfacilities,andavillageforitsworkers.Henamedit“Biltmore,”
derivedfrom"Bildt”(Vanderbilt'sancestors'placeoforigininHolland)and"More"(Anglo‐Saxon
wordforopen,rollingland).
PostcardofBiltmoreEstatecirca1900.CourtesyNorthCarolinaCollection,UniversityofNorthCarolinaat
ChapelHill
PartI‐BiltmoreEstateFireEquipment
Thehouseandtheestatewereequippedwithavarietyoffireprotectionequipment,includingfire
buckets,fireextinguishers,hand‐pulledandlatermotorizedfireapparatus,afirehydrantsystem
withhose,andafirealarmsystem.
UntiltheorganizationoftheBiltmoreFireDepartmentin1903,whichwasbasedinthevillage,the
estaterelieduponstaffforfiresuppressionaswellasthe“city”firedepartment.TheBiltmoreFire
Departmentceasedoperationin1929andfireprotectiontotheestatewasassumedbythenewly
openedAshevilleFireStation5inBiltmoreVillage.
EquipmentandApparatus
Earlyfireequipmentattheestateincluded:



Firehydrants,hoses,andvalvesfromtheNYBeling&PackingCo.andtheFabricHoseCo.in
NewYork.
TwelvefireextinguishersfromStempelF.E.ManufacturingCo.,NY.
Plus“bucketbrassspraypumpsandfireextinguisher[s]”fromMontgomeryWard&Co.in
Chicago.
Laterfireequipmentincluded:


Wheeledchemicalextinguisher.
1957Internationalfireengine.
Twopiecesofhand‐drawnapparatushavesurvived,ahandhosereelandahandhosecart.They
arepresentlystoredinthebasementoftheBiltmoreHouse.Intheeventoffire,thehosereelorcart
wouldberolledtothelocationoftheblaze.Thehosewaspulledoutorunwound,andconnectedto
thenearestfirehydrant.Therewereapparentlynoconnectionsforhoseinsidethehouse,however,
suchasastandpipesystem.
HookandLaddersandSprinklerWagons
Mr.Vanderbildtreceivedmanyproposalsforotherfireequipment.InadocumentdatedJune20,
1900,aRumsey&Company“lightvillagehook&laddertruck“wasproposedforpurchase.No
otherreferencestotheapparatushavebeenfound.Presumesamewasn’tpurchased.1
1Rumseyandothercompaniesmanufacturedhand‐andhorse‐pulledladderwagons.Theycarriedladdersmountedon
parallelracks,andincludingspaceforstoringorhangingbuckets,helmets,hooks,andotherequipment.Theseladder
trucksvariedinsize,withthesmallestsuitableforserviceinavillageorsmalltown.Thesewerealsocalled“villageladder
trucks.”Largerversionscarriedmoreequipmentandweresuitableforserviceinacity.Thesewerecalled“cityservice
laddertrucks”or“cityservicetrucks”oreventuallyjust“servicetrucks.”Thetermbecameanindustrylabelforladder
trucksofanysizethatcarriedgroundladdersbutwerenotequippedwithamechanically‐raisedladder.
Inherweb‐based“ATechnologicalTouroftheBiltmoreEstate,”authorSueClarkMcKendreealso
classifiesfour“sprinklingwagons”asfirefightingequipment.Thesewere600‐gallonwagonsbuilt
byStudebakerBrothersManufacturingCompanyofSouthBend,IN.Thesewereprobably
(certainly?)usedforstreetmaintenanceandnotfirefighting,withtheapplicationofwaterusedto
reducethedustraisedondirtroads.
FireAlarms
Intheeventofafire,thenotificationmethodsincluded:

Thehousehadaninternalfirealarmsystem,whichcouldbeactivatedinanyoneofthesix
sectionsofthehouse.ThealarmsoundedintheButler’sPantry.2

TherewerealsotelephonesandspeakingtubestocommunicatetotheButler’sPantry.

Intheeventofanemergency,itisbelievedtheButlerwouldsoundanalarm,whichwas
believedtobethelargebellsthatarelocatedthroughoutthehouse.

Asearlyas1890,theEstateManagerwasadvisedbytheBrickandTileWorkssupervisor
thatthewhistleatthebrickworkscouldbeusedtosoundthealarm,intheeventoffire.
PartII–FiresattheEstate
BarnandHouseDestroyed
OnMarch29,1904,amulebarnandahouseontheestatepropertyweredestroyedbyfire.
ReportedtheAshevilleCitizenonMay30:
“MuleBarnandFineResidenceonBiltmoreEstateDestroyed
“Firediddamagetotheamountof$10,000or$12,000onBiltmoreestateyesterday
morningatfouro’clock,burningthemulebarnsandtheresidenceoccupiedbyBert
Halyburton.Itisnotknownhowtheblazeoriginated.
“Thefirestartedinthestablesandwascommunicatedtotheresidence,whichwassituated
nearthestables,byembersbeingcarriedbythewind,which,atthetimeofthefire,was
blowinginthedirectionofthehouse.
“Alargenumberofhorsesandmulesinthebarnwereindangerofbeingburnedtodeath,
butbyhardeffortemployeesoftheestatemanagedtogetallbuttwoofthemoutofthe
burningstructure.Thetwodiedintheflames,thosewhohadbeenworkingtosavethem
beingforcedtohearthepiteouswhinnyingwhiletheysufferedthetortureswhichended
thelives.
2Atleastoneofthefirealarmboxeshassurvived.It’slocatedonthefourthfloorandcanbeseeninsomeoftheguided
tours.ThemanufacturerofthealarmsystemmayhavebeenGamewell.
“Considerableofthefeedstuffsinthebarnandmanyfarmingimplementsweresaved
beforetheflamesgainedtoomuchheadwaytoadmitoftherescueworkandsomeofthe
furnitureintheresidencewassaved.
“Theburnedstructureswerebuiltabouttwoyearsagoandweremodernineveryway.The
mulebarnhadacapacityforaboutsixtyheadofstock.
“Itisexpectedthatthebarnandresidencewillberebuiltatanearlydate,althoughdefinite
announcementtothiseffectwasnotmadeyesterday.
“Thereflectionofthefireontheskywasplainlyseenbyearlyrisersandlateworkersand
foratimeitwasfearedthatBiltmoreHousewasinflamesorsomeofthemorevaluable
property.”
AnotherstablebuildingburnedinMay1906.ReportedtheWilmingtonMorningStaronMay27:
“DeputyCommissionerofInsuranceF.M.JordanisspendingafewdaysatBiltmore
investigatingthefiretherelastweekthatburneddownoneofthestablesoftheVanderbilt
estateandcausedthedeathofanumberofhorses.Thisisthesecondburningofabarnon
thissitewithintwoyears.Itisbelievedthatthefireswerebothofincendiaryorigin.”
FireattheSawMill
OnMay18,1906,theVanderbilt’ssawmillburned.ReportedtheAshevilleTimesonMay19:
“BiltmoreSawMillandSeveralThousandFeetofLumberedBurned
“ThesawmillwhichbelongtoGeorgeW.Vanderbilt,togetherwith100,000feetoflumber,
wasdestroyedbyfirewhichwasdiscoveredyesterdayafternoonabout1o’clock.The
flamesstartedfromasparkfromtheengineroom,andrapidlyspreadoverthelumberyard.
Atelephonemessagewassenttothefiredepartment,andalthoughthemembersmadea
quickresponse,theywereunabletosavethemill.
“Twenty‐twohundredfeetofhosewaslaidfromawaterplugtotheburningbuildings,but
thewaterpressurewassoweakthatitwasofbutlittleassistance.Bythetimethewater
wasturnedon,thewallsofthebuildinghadfallen.Thefirementhenbeganmovingthe
lumberwhichhadnotbeenburnedandtheysucceededinsavingseveralthousandfeet.
“Thereareseveralbuildingswithinafewfeetofwheretheflameswereblowingmadly,and
itwasonlytheheroicworkofthefirementhatsavedthemfrombeingdestroyed.At4
o’clock,thefiremenleft,beingsatisfiedthattheflameswereundercontrol.
“Thelosswillprobablyamountto$4,000,andisfullycoveredbyinsurance.
“Mrs.VanderbiltwasattheBiltmorehousewhenthetelephonemessage,announcingthe
fire,wasreceived,andshehurriedtothescene,andtookagreatdealofinterestinthework
ofthefiremen.”
TheGazetteNewsofMay19,1906,addedthesedetailsaboutthefire.Thewoodandlumberyard
waslocatednearthelowerentrancetotheestate:
“TheAshevillefiredepartmentwascalledonforaidandChiefBernardandeightofthe
firemenimmediatelyleftforthescenewiththenewhosereeland2,000feetofhose.After
layingthehoseitwasfoundthatseveralhundredmorehosewasnecessarytoreachthe
nearesthydrantandatelephonemessagewassenttoheadquartersfortheoldreel.Five
hundredfeetmoreofhosewassentfromheadquartersandat2:30[p.m.]onestreamwas
playingontheburningwoodandlumber.TheBiltmorefirecompanywasonthesceneand
gaveaid.Thoseworkingatthefiresucceededinthrowingagoodlyquantityofwoodand
lumberfromthepilesanditisthoughtthatthiswillbesaved.
“Mrs.Vanderbiltwasonthesceneshortlyafterthefirewasdiscoveredandpersonally
directedtheeffortsofthevolunteerfire‐fighters,makingsuggestionstothementhatwere
rapidlyfollowed.At3:30[p.m.]theyardswerestillburning.Foratimeitwasfearedthata
residencenearbywouldbedestroyed,butthiswassaved.”
TheNewYorkTimesalsoreportedaboutthefireonMay20:
“FireontheBiltmoreEstate
“Mrs.GeorgeW.VanderbiltDirectedFightoftheFiremen
“ASHEVILLE,N.C.,May20–AfireonGeorgeW.Vanderbilt’sBiltmoreestateto‐day
destroyedthelumberyardandseveralthousandfeetoflumber.
“Twofirecompanieswerecalledout,Mr.Vanderbilt’sowncompanyatBiltmoreandthe
Ashevilledepartment.Itwasstubbornfire,anditwasfivehoursbeforetheflameswere
checked.Mrs.Vanderbiltwaspresentandmadesuggestionstothefiremen.Mr.Vanderbilt
wasoffonafishingtrip.
“Thefiremenwillbeliberallyrewardedfortheirbravefight,whichsavedmuchproperty.”
DeerparkBarn
In1910,theDeerparkbarnburned,whichwasacalvingbarn.AnaccountbydairymanM.Rickman
Cappsdescribesthefire:
“IwasaboutfiveyearsoldwhenIheardmydadandhisbrotherWaketalkingaboutgoing
toseethedisaster.IaskedifIcouldgowithhim.Papaagreed,andIshallneverforgetthat
experience.Itwasapproximatelyamileandahalf.Ihadtorunallthewaytokeepup.When
wearrivedatthescene,itwasalmostdarkanditwasn’taprettysight.Smokewasstill
risingfromtheheapofcharredcarcassesandsmolderingpiecesoflumber.Noonespoke
foralongtime.Ithinktheywerestunned…Themenwhowereworkingthereatthetime
toldhowtheywouldleadtheanimalsoutandtheywouldturnandrunbackintothe
burningbarnandmanyof[theanimals]wereburnedup.”3
StockStableBurns
OnMay21,1913,thestockstableattheestateburned.ReportedtheMay21editionoftheAsheville
Gazette‐News:
“StableandEightAnimalsBurned
“StockStableofBiltmoreEstateEntireDestroyed–EightHeadofStockSaved
“ThemulestableoftheBiltmoreestatewasentirelydestroyedbyfirejustbeforedaylight
thismorning.Fourhorsesandfourmuleswerekilledbyfire.Therewere16animalsinthe
stable,eightmulesbeingsaved.Itisnotknownhowthefireoriginated,butthefactthatthe
stablewasburningwasmadeknownbyanautomaticfirealarm,andseveralmenrushedto
thebuildingtoattempttosavethemulesandhorses.Thefirehadgainedgreatheadway
beforetheyarrived,anditissaidthatifmenhadarrivedthreeminuteslatertheycouldnot
havesavedtheanimalstheydid.Ithasnotbeenlearnedwhatthedamagewillamountto.”
TheAshevilleFireDepartmentwasdispatchedat5:50a.m.,asrecordedinthislogbookentry:
CarriageHouseFire
SueClarkMcKendreealsowrotethisaccountofafireattheCarriageHouse,whichwaslocated
besidetheEstate:
“AroundmidnightonSunday,April8,1917,afirebrokeoutinthewoodstorageroom
belowtheCarriageHouse.Itwasthoughtthatthefirewasextinguishedwithlittleorno
damage.However,twohourslaterlightswentoutintheHouseandthenightwatchman
foundthattheWestWingoftheStablewasonfire,‘theflamesandsmokeappearingfrom
theroomsoftheMen’sQuarters.TheAshevilleFireDepartmentwassummoned,andthe
3Thisaccountisincorrectlycitedasthe1913fire,intheCitizen‐TimesstoryofJanuary5,2015,“FiresatDowntonAbbey
&Biltmore:Whichwasmalicious?”
firewasextinguished,butnotbeforeveryconsiderabledamagewasdonetheCarriage
Room,StairwayleadingtotheMen’sQuarters,andtothesleepingroomsandbathroom.
Thefireburnedthroughtothegarretorgable,andthreesmallopeningswereburnedinthe
roof.”Thefireresultedin$5,000.00worthofdamage.Asubsequentinvestigationledtothe
conclusionthatthesecondfirewassetintentionally,althoughitdoesnotappearthat
anyonewaseverarrestedforsettingit.”
ReportedtheAshevilleTimesonApril9,1917:
“$1,000FireattheBiltmoreMansion
“StablesinWestWingWereBadlyDamagedbyEarlyMorningBlaze–OriginUnknown”
“ThefirstfirethathaseveroccurredinanysectionoftheBiltmoremansionwasdiscovered
thismorningat2o’clock,inthesectionofthewestsideofthemansion,whichisusedfora
garageandstables.Thefire,whichwasofunknownorigin,diddamagewhichwasestimated
at$1,000,partofthisbeingcausedbythewater,whichwasusedtoextinguishtheflames.
“Thefirewasfirstdiscoveredatmidnight,lastnight,bythewatchmanandheextinguished
theblaze.Thisfirewasinthewoodbasementofthestables.Later,however,itwas
discoveredthatthefirehadclimbedupthewallsoftheroom,andreachedthesecondfloor
andthegarret.ChiefWood,withsixmenandtheredmotortruck,respondedtoacallfor
helpfromtheestateemployees,shortlyafter2o’clock,andremainedonthejobuntil6
o’clockthismorning.
“Arrivingatthemansion,[thefiremen?]foundthatthesmokewassodenseitwasalmost
impossibleforthementoenterthebuilding.Aftermuchworkthefiremenenteredthemain
floor,extinguishedthefirethere,andthenfoundtheirwaytothegarret.Twolinesofhose
wereused,thehoseoftheestatebeingutilizedbythefiremenandalineofchemicalhose
wasused.
“Mrs.Vanderbilt’sautomobiles,whichwereinthebasementofthewingwherethefire
occurred,wereuninjuredbythefireandwater.”
ReportedtheAshevilleCitizenonApril9,1917:
“EarlyMorningFireonBiltmoreEstate
“BuildingUsedForGarageReportedAblazeat2:30ThisMorning–FireDepartment
Responds
“Fire,ofundeterminedorigin,wasdiscoveredat2:30o’clockthismorningonthesecond
floorofthegarageattheBiltmoreestate.Theblazehadgainedconsiderableheadway
beforebeingseenbythenightwatchman,whopromptlytelephonedtotheAshevillefire
department.Oneofthedepartmentmotortruckswithsixmenwasdispatchedonthelong
runtotheestateandinthemeantime,theservantsandemployeesoftheestatefoughtthe
fireasbestthecould.
“ThegarageissituationnearthewestendofBiltmorehouseandisbuiltofstone.Itisstated
thatnoonewasinjured.Theextentofthedamagecouldnotbeascertainedthismorning.”
EstateSuperintendentChaunceyBeadlebelievedthefirewassentintentionally,andasa
retaliation.Hewrote:
“Thecauseofthefireisobscure,butcouldconsistentlybeattributedtocarelessness,wereit
notfortheconvictionswhicheachdaygrowstronger,thatthesecondfirewasnotanormal
sequenceofthefirst—butadistinctandseparateunitoftroubleanddisaster.
“Atfirstweattemptedtotracetheoriginofthesecondfirebyelectricalwiredisturbance
fromthebasementfire.Thistheoryfindsnosupport,andtheopinionofmyselfandothers
nowis,thatthefireswereincendiaryandmalicious.”
ThefireoccurredsoonafterEdithVanderbiltofferedtheestateasatraininggroundfortroops
duringWorldWarI.ChiefCuratorDarrenPoupore,inanAshevilleCitizen‐TimesstoryonJanuary5,
2015,speculates:
“TheU.S.hadjoinedtheAlliedForcestofightinWorldWarIjusttwodaysearlier,onApril
6.
“Atthetimetherewerealotofisolationistsandpacifistswhoopposedthewar.”
PartIII‐BiltmoreVillageandBiltmoreFireDepartment
BiltmoreVillagewascreatedbyGeorgeVanderbiltinthelate1890sasa“companytown”forthe
workersoftheBiltmoreEstate.OriginallyknownasthetownofBest,itwaslocatedadjacenttothe
estate’smainentranceandofferedrentalpropertiesforworkers.Thevillagewasplannedand
designedtoresembleanEnglishcountryvillage.Therewasaschool,achurch,ahospital,arailroad
depot,andotherservices.Plusafiredepartment.Allthebuildingswereownedbytheestate.
Thevillagewassoldin1917,afterthedamageofthegreatfloodof1916.4Thetrusteesoftheestate
alsosoldaportionofestatelandasaresidentialsectionthatbecameBiltmoreForest.We’lllearn
moreaboutthatinamoment.BiltmoreVillagewasannexedbyAshevillein1929.
TheBiltmoreFireDepartmentwasestablishedin1903andservedboththevillageandtheestate.It
operatedbothhand‐pulledandmotorizedapparatus.Thevillagewasequippedwithfirehydrants,
aswellasadedicatedfirestationbuilding.
4OnJanuary2,1922,thecityofAshevillepurchasedtheBiltmoreVillagewater,sewer,andlightsystems.Thetransaction
was“consummatedwiththeAppalachianRealtycompany”whichpurchasedthevillagefromtheestate“manymonths
ago.”Source:AshevilleTimes,January3,1922.
Miller’sAshevilleCityDirectory,1929
Apparatus
FourpiecesoffireapparatusarerecordedasoperatedbytheBiltmoreFireDepartment:
MakeandModel
Specifications
Notes
1900sHandhosewagon
550to600feet2½‐inchhose
Listedin1907,1917Sanbornmap.
1900sHandhosereel
300feetof2½”hose
Listedin1917Sanbornmap.
1916AmericanLaFranceType20
combinationhoseandchemical
car,#10755
30gallonchemicaltank,200
feetchemicalhose,
1,250feetof2½”hose.
OriginallyownedbyManning,South
Carolina.
ShippedtoManningonFebruary24,
1916.
TradedinbySeagravecircaFebruary
1925.
SoldtoBiltmoreonFebruary27,1925.
1926Ahrens‐FoxM‐S‐4bilttriple
combination,#1708
750GPMpump,80gallons6
Purchasednew.
ContractsignedonSeptember29,
1925.
TransferredtoAshevilleFDin1929.
Latersoldtoprivateowners,and
currentlyownedbyKenMenkein
WebsterGroves,MO.
FireDepartment

TheBiltmoreVillagefirestationwasbuiltin1902.ItwasdesignedbyArchitectRichard
SharpSmith.

Thefiredepartmentbeganoperationin1903.Thefirstequipmentwasahosewagonand
1,000feetof21/2‐inchhose.ItwascalledtheBiltmoreFireDepartment.

J.C.LipewasthefirstFireChief.Heserveduntilthetimeofthegreatfloodin1916.

SanbornMapsinJune1907describethefiredepartmentasvolunteerwithfifteenmen,one
handhosewagonwith600feet2½‐inchcottonrubber‐linedhose,400feetofhosein
reserve,onesmallextensionladder,andsixStempelthree‐gallonchemicalextinguishers.

Thevolunteerswerealertedtofiresbyabellatthestation.

The1907mapsdonotdisplayafirestationbuilding.Thereisaone‐storyhorseshedon
BrookStreetinthelocationofthefirestationshownonthe1917map.

SanbornMapsinJanuary1913repeatthesamedescriptionofthefiredepartment.
5Thesechemical/hosecarshadHerschell‐Spillmanfour‐orsix‐cylindermotors.
6Sourcefortheeighty‐gallontankcapacity,youask?Theamountisn’tlistedintheoriginalspecificationdocumentthat
hasbeenpreserved.TheAshevilleFireDepartmentsummaryintheSanbornFireInsuranceMapsof1938providesthe
informationontankcapacity.

The1913mapagaindoesnotdisplayafirestationbuilding.Theone‐storyhorseshedisstill
displayedonBrookStreet,wherethefirestationwillbeshowninthe1917map.

SanbornMapsinNovember1917describethefiredepartmentasvolunteerwithtenmen,
onehosewagonwith550feetof2½‐inchhose,onehosereelwith300‐feetof2½‐inch
hose,andeightthree‐gallonchemicalextinguishersdistributedaroundthevillage.

The1917mapshowsasmallsingle‐storyfirestationlocatedonBrookStreetonthesouth
sideofthestreet,midwaybetweenPlazaandSwanstreets.
FireDepartmentin1925

SanbornMapsin1925describethedepartmentasvolunteer,withachiefandfifteenmen.
TheyhadoneAmericanLaFranceautotruckwith1,2502½‐inchcotton,rubber‐linedhose
ingoodcondition,anda30gallonchemicaltankwith200feetchemicalhose.Firealarmby
telephone.Thevillagehadapopulationof250,andawatersystemsuppliedfromAsheville,
withtwenty‐twohydrantsinvillage.

Bythattime,thefiredepartmenthadrelocatedtoalargerenginehouseadjacenttothewest
side(rear)ofthetwo‐storyBiltmoreofficebuildingatthesouthwestcornerofLodgeand
Plaza.

InSeptember1925,thefiredepartmentsignedacontracttoordera1926AhrensFoxM‐S‐4
pumper.
FireChiefs
Thefirechiefsincluded:



J.C.Lipe–1903to1919
F.W.Kenny–1920
R.D.Murray–1928.
NorthCarolinaStateFireman’sAssociationStatisticianReports
Year Pop.
Prop.
Value
Cost
of
FD
Value
ofFD
Prop.
Water
Works
Hydrants
Service
Pressure7
Fire
Pressure
Hose
Carts
Volunteers
Hose
1910
173
1,500
Gravity
13
2
15
1911
200
1,500
Gravity
13
1
2
800
1912
200
1,500
Gravity
13
1
21
800
1913
200
1,500
Gravity
14
1
21
800
1914
200
200,000
1,500
Gravity
14
75
200
1
21
1915
175
200,000
160
2,500
Gravity
14
75
200
1
20
7Thepressureinthefirehydrantscouldbeincreasedfrom75PSI(servicepressure)to200PSI(firepressure),toprovide
morepressureforfirefighting.
AshevilleFireStation5

In1929,thefiredepartmentdisbandedafterthecityassumedfireprotection.

Thecityalsotookownershipofthe1926AhrensFoxpumper.

ThecityalsopurchasedthepropertyoftheBiltmoreofficebuildingandadjoininggarage
(firestation).

Thetopfloorwasconvertedtolivingspaceforfirefighters.Thebottomfloorwasrentedto
theBiltmoreCompany.

Station5openedonAugust29,1929.Withinafewyears,thereargaragewasenlargedand
expandedbytheWPA.

Bythe1950s,theAhrensFoxpumperwasareserveenginehousedatStation4.

InMay1975,anewStation5openedat1074HendersonvilleRoad.TheBiltmoreCompany
laterrepurchasedthepropertyandremovedthegarage.

The5,622square‐footofficebuildingislistedontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.
Images
“BiltmoreFireStation–July1902”–DrawingbyRichardSharpSmith–CourtesyUNCAsheville,Richard
SharpSouthCollection
“BiltmoreFireStation–July1902”–DrawingbyRichardSharpSmith–CourtesyUNCAsheville,Richard
SharpSouthCollection
SanbornFireInsuranceMap–1917
SanbornFireInsuranceMap–1917
SanbornFireInsuranceMap–1925
SanbornFireInsuranceMap–1925
Biltmoreofficebuildingin2006.Thefirestationwaslocatedontherightsideinthispicture–MikeLegeros
photo
AshevilleStation5inthe1930s(?).ThehousetotheleftisthepresentBiltmoreOfficebuilding
AshevilleStation5inthe1930s(?)
CatalogimageofAmericanLaFranceType20combinationchemicalandhosecar
BiltmoreVillage’s1926Ahrens‐Foxinrecentdecades,aftersaletoprivateownersandrestoration–Dateand
sourceunknown
KenMenkephoto
AshevilleFireDepartmentfleetincludingthe1926AhrensFox.Circa1930s
AshevilleauxiliaryfirefightersduringWorldWarIIwiththe1926AhrensFoxatOldStation3onHaywood
Road
PartIV‐BiltmoreForestFireDepartment
Followingthegreatfloodof1916,whichdamagedbothBiltmoreVillageandtheBiltmoreEstate,
plansweremadetoreducethecostofmaintenanceonbothproperties.Some1,500acresofthe
estateborderingHendersonvilleRoadweredeemedunprofitable.Theyweresplitfromtheestate
anddevelopedasaplannedresidentialcommunity.Itwascharteredasatownin1923,named
BiltmoreForest.
Apparatus
BiltmoreForestownedandoperatedfivepiecesoffireapparatus:
MakeandModel
Specifications
Notes
1919Packardfireengine
1929AmericanLaFranceType91
triplecombination,#L‐324
500GPM,80gallonschemical
Shipped2/27/29
SoldtoNebo,NorthCarolina
1959FordF‐750/American
LaFrancepumper
750GPM,500gallons
1980FordC/GrummanFirecatF‐10
pumper,#16048
1000GPM,1000gallons
Soldin1995toCrestlineVFDin
MooreCounty,placedinserviceas
Engine722.
1987FordC/Piercepumper,top‐
mount,#E3647
1250GPM,750gallons
Soldin1995toCrestlineVFD,placed
inserviceasEngine721.
History–1920sto1940s

In1921,apublicworksbuildingwasconstructedandhousedthefirstfireengine,afire
enginebuiltona1919Packardchassis.

In1923,thetownwaschartered.Thefirstmeetingwasheldattherealestateofficeon
March20,1923.Atthemeeting,acommitteewasformedfor(creating?)thefire
department.

Thecombinationfireandpolicestationwaslocatedat348VanderbiltRoad,onacircular
drivesouthofBusbeeRoad.

ItwasdesignedbyCharlesParkerin1923,andincludedanupstairsapartmentfortheChief
ofPolice.ThefirstchiefwasC.W.Hensley,whoearned$90amonth.

Thetwo‐storybuildingincludedanapparatusbayontheleftsideofthegroundfloor.

SanbornMapsofJuly1935describethefiredepartmentashavingfivepaidmenandthirty
volunteersthatoperateda“No.91”AmericanLaFrancetriplecombinationpumper,500
GPM,with1,000’2½”hoseandan80gallonchemicaltankwith200’chemicalhose.Plus
1,000’2½”hoseinreserve.Thewatersupplyincludedforty‐twodoublehydrants,powered
byatown‐owned“waterworks.”Thetown’spopulationwas310,withtenmilesofpaved
streets,andgradesdescribedas“veryhilly.”

Thefire/policestationwasexpanded,likelybetween1935and1940asaWPAproject.A
secondapparatusbaywasaddedasasingle‐storyadditionontheleftsideofthestructure.

Theoriginalbayinsidetheoriginalstructurewassubsequentlyconvertedtoofficeorliving
space,perhapsaroundthistimeperiodbutnolaterthanMarch1964.

Thevolunteerfirefighterswerealertedtofiresbyanairhornatthefirestation.
NorthCarolinaStateFireman’sAssociationStatisticianReports
Year
Ending
Oct1
Population
Volunteers
Paid
Combination
Pumpers
Pumping
Capacity
Hose
Alarm
System
Total
Value
Equip
1938
600
17
1
1
250
2,250
Gamewell
4,000
1940
476
20
1
250
2,250
Gamewell
4,000
1941
476
20
1
250
2,250
Gamewell
4,000
1942
476
20
1
750
2,250
Gamewell
5,000
1943
476
20
1
750
2,250
Gamewell
5,000
History–1950sand1960s

Withthedevelopmentofcountywidefiredepartmentdispatchinginthe1950sor1960s,
BiltmoreForestFireDepartmentwasnumberedcountyStation13.Thedepartmentwas
dispatchedinthesamefashionasothercountyfiredepartments.

Thoughtheyreceivedincomingmutualaid,BiltmoreForestfirefighterswererestrictedto
respondingtoinsidetheircorporatelimits.8

ReportedtheAshevilleTimesonJuly29,1959,thetownpurchasedanewfireenginetheday
before.The1959FordF‐750/AmericanLaFrancecost$14,000,hada750GPMpump,
carried500gallonsofwater,andwasequippedwith200feetof2½‐inchhose,400feetof1
½‐inchhose,and200feetofhighpressureboosterhose.Italsocarriedthreeladdersand
twoairpacks.The“allaluminum”ladderswerea35‐footextensionladder,a14‐footroof
ladder,anda10‐footfoldingladder.

Inadditiontotheregulartownpoliceandfiredepartmentemployees,thetownhadeight
volunteerfirefighters.

In1964,thefiredepartmenthadtentotwelvevolunteers.Therewerealsosixpolice
officerswhodoubledasfirefighters,reportedtheAshevilleTimesonMarch30,1964.

Bythattimethetown’s“servicedepartment”wasalsohousedinthefire/policestation.The
buildingwas“openaroundtheclock.”
History–1970sand1980s

In1977,thepolice/firestationwasagainexpanded.Asecondsingle‐storyapparatusbay
wasaddedontherightsideofthestructure.

OnDecember28,1980,firedestroyedahomeat2AmherstRoad.Thispromptedsome
changes.ReportedintheAshevilleCitizenonJanuary22,1981,thefollowingwereplanned:
o
townwouldhirearetiredpersontoanswerphonesatthepolice/firestation,so
police/firemenwere“freetoactwhenneeded”
o
townwouldorderanewfiretruckandkeeptheoldone
o
police/firemenwouldstartandinspecteachtruckatthestartofeachshift,instead
ofweekly.

In1981,thepoliceandfiredepartmentswereseparated.Atnight,afirefighteractedas
dispatcher.Thiswasthefirsttimethedispatcherwasn’tacombinationfireman/police
officer.

ByFebruary18,1981,reportedtheAshevilleCitizen‐Times,thetownhadelevenpolice‐
firemen,whorotatedshifts,withthreeworkingdays,andthreeworkingnights,andthree
offaweekatatime.TheChiefandaCaptainwereavailablewhenneeded.
8WiththeexceptionoftheBiltmorehouseandestate.TheyrespondedasautomaticaidwiththecityofAsheville,aslate
astheearly1990s,andperhapsmuchearlier.

The1980Ford/Grummanand1987Ford/Piercewerehousedatoppositeendsofthe
building.ThePiercewasoperatedbythepaidpersonnel,andtheirbaywasequippedwitha
motorizedoverheaddoor.TheGrummanwasthevolunteertruck,andtheirbayhada
manuallyoperatedoverheaddoor.
History–1990s

Thefiredepartmentceasedoperationin1995.Bythattime,callvolumewas(orhadalways
been)verylight.Onecallpermonth,maybe.

Inthelater/finalyears,thefiredepartmentincludedbothPublicSafetyOfficerswhowere
combinationpolice/firefighters,andfivepaidfirefighters.

Thepaidpersonnelworkedseven12‐hourdays,seven12‐hournights,thenoffforseven
days.

TheFireChiefreportedtothePoliceChief.Thiswasachangefromprioryearsanddecades,
whentheFireChiefandPoliceChiefwerethesameperson.

Afterthefiredepartmentwasdisbanded,thesingle‐storyapparatusbayontheleftofthe
buildingwasclosedandconvertedtooffice/livingareas.

From1995to2013,theAshevilleFireDepartmentprovidedcontractedfireprotectionto
thetown.

TheSkylandFireDepartmentiscurrentlycontracted,andcompletedanewfirestationat7
ValleySpringsRoadasajointventurebetweenSFDandBiltmoreForestin2014.
FireChiefs
Thetown’sfirechiefshaveincluded:
RoyR.Creasman
1930to1934
RoyR.Creasman
1940
RoyR.Creasman
1950
PaulT.Jones
1963
KennethR.Ledford
1980to1982
WilliamDavidWarren
1989to1991
GeneRay
1995
Images
Miller’sAshevilleCityDirectory,1963
AshevilleCitizenTimes–March30,1964
October2006–MikeLegerosphoto
GamewellDiaphonehornatopfirestationbuildingin2014
GamewellDiaphoneairpressuregaugeinsidefirestationbuildingin2014
Gamewellfirealarmsystemtransmitterin20149
9Fireswerereportedbytelephone,inperson,orbyradiofrompatrollingpoliceofficers.Thevolunteerfiremenwere
alertedbyahornonthefirestation’sroof.Thedispatcherreferredtoalistof“virtualalarmboxes”thatwerenumbered
withsingle,double,ortripledigits.Each“virtualbox”correspondedtoaspecificlocationintown.Theclosest“box”tothe
firewasdeterminedandacorrespondingbrass“codewheel”wasselected.To“transmit”thealarm,thewheelwasplaced
Uniformpatches,undated
Windowstickeratfirestation
insidethetransmitterandthegear‐drivenmechanism“read”thecode.Thisgeneratedaseriesofonandoffelectrical
signalsthatactivatedthealarmhorn.Forexample,“box25”wouldbesignaledbytwohornblasts,apause,andthenfive
hornblasts.Afteralongerpause,thesignalrepeateduptothreetimes,sothefiremenwerecertainofthelocation.
1919PackardfireengineinfrontoftheBiltmoreEstate’srealestateoffice–CourtesyUniversityofNorth
CarolinaAsheville/BallCollection
FactoryphotoofatypicalAmericanLaFranceType91triplecombination.
1929AmericanLaFranceType91brochurecover.
1959Ford/AmericanLaFrance–AshevilleCitizenTimes,July29?,1959
1980Ford/GrummanasCrestlineEngine722–BillFrederickphoto
1987Ford/PierceasCrestlineEngine721–BillFrederickphoto
PartV‐Map
PartVI–Sources
Primarysourcesforthisdocumentinclude:









“Asheville–TheIdealAutumnandWinterResortCity,”electronicedition,bySouthern
RailwayPassengerTrafficDepartment,
http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/asheville/asheville.html
BiltmoreEstatebyRichardMorrisHunt,
http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/ncarolina/biltmore/biltmoreintro.html
BiltmoreForest–OurHistory‐OurLivesbyDavidSchulman,
http://biltmoreforesttownhall.homestead.com/History_of_Biltmore_Forest_Text.pdf
BuncombeCountyfireapparatushistoricalinformationbyMicahBodford
BuncombeCountyfiredepartmentresearchbyBrianLawrence
FirefightinginBuncombeCountybyBrianLawrence,ArcadiaPublishing,2014
“Interpretingfiresafetysystems”from“ATechnologicalTouroftheBiltmoreEstate”bySue
ClarkMcKendree,http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/biltmore‐techtour/1313
JohnPeckham’sAmericanLaFrancedatabaseviatheSocietyforthePreservation&
AppreciationofAntiqueMotorFireApparatusinAmerica(SPAMFAA),
http://www.spaamfaa.org/alfresources2.html
NorthCarolinaFiremen’sAssociationdocuments,includingSecretaryandStatistician
reports.




OralHistories
PatchGallery.com
SanbornFireInsuranceMaps
YoungstownFireForumthreadonAshevillefireapparatus,
http://yngfire.com/index.php/topic,11406.0.html
NewspaperArticles






AshevilleCitizen
o May30,1904–“MuleBarnandFineResidenceonBiltmoreEstateDestroyed”
o May19,1906–“BiltmoreSawMillandSeveralThousandFeetofLumberBurned”
o April9,1917–“EarlyMorningFireonBiltmoreEstate”
AshevilleCitizen‐Times
o July29,1959–“ReadyforAction”(photowithcaption)
o March30,1964–“24‐HourProtection”(photowithcaption)
o January22,1981–“BiltmoreForestPlansChangesinFire‐PoliceSetup”
o February18,1981–“TownofBiltmoreFireDepartmentCalledInadequate”
o January5,2015–“FiresatDowntonAbbey&Biltmore:Whichwasmalicious?”
AshevilleGazette‐News
o May19,1906–“WoodandLumberYardisBurned”
o May21,1913–“StableandEightAnimalsBurned”
AshevilleTimes
o April9,1917–“$1000FireattheBiltmoreMansion”
o January3,1922–“BiltmorePurchasesWater,Sewer,andLightSystems”
NewYorkTimes
o May20,1906–“FireonBiltmoreEstate”
WilmingtonMorningStar
o May27,1906–Fireatstable